Glendale City Council frets over light-rail impacts

Valley Metro has staffers who help businesses affected by construction with things like marketing and connecting them to resources such as web design

Cars drive by a parked light rail car, sitting at the end of the current line near Bethany Home Road and 19th Avenue, in Phoenix, Ariz. Construction has begun on the northwest extension of the light rail system, which will connect Bethany Home Road to Dunlap Avenue.(Photo: Erin O'Connor/The Republic)

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Valley Metro executives are considering five routes that would link the West Valley to Phoenix near 19th Avenue and Montebello, the light rail's most western spot

The 20-miles of current light rail track, which has cost about $1.4 billion, has generated $7 billion in economic development investments around the light rail

Martinez said he'd heard from businesses owners that the rail could "destroy the downtown"

Valley Metro leaders at a meeting last week got a taste of the opposition they could face from some business interests in choosing a route for a connection from downtown Glendale to Phoenix.

Vice Mayor Yvonne Knaack, who operates a downtown business, and Councilman Manny Martinez said business leaders along Glendale Avenue feared construction from the proposed project would hamper their sales.

Knaack said she doesn't think downtown Glendale had the room for a light-rail system, and that alterations would leave businesses too close to the street.

And Martinez said he'd heard from some businesses owners that the rail could "destroy the downtown."

Those comments came at a Glendale City Council meeting at which Valley Metro officials updated the council on its study process for selecting a route and transportation mode to connect Glendale.

Other members on the council — Councilmen Gary Sherwood and Sam Chavira — heralded the project as an economic driver, even though it may cause temporary pain.

"There's no getting around it. There's disruption to their businesses for that period of time for two or three years when the construction is going on," Sherwood said. "But it truly does become a benefit afterward."

The Glendale City Council will have to approve a route for construction of the connection, which could come in various modes, in a vote in the spring of 2015.

Knaack and Martinez won't be on the council then because they are not seeking re-election, but Sherwood and Chavira will be. Valley Metro officials stressed the economic benefits of the public transportation in comments to the council.

The 20 miles of current light-rail track, which has cost about $1.4 billion, has generated $7 billion in economic development investments around the light rail, said Stephen Banta, CEO of Valley Metro.

Valley Metro executives are considering five routes that would link the West Valley to Phoenix on 19th Avenue, the light rail's most western spot.

A Valley Metro survey of 200 people found that the preferred routes were along Glendale Avenue or Camelback Road. Other options include Bethany Home Road and Grand Avenue, said Ben Limmer, a planning manager at Valley Metro.

The agency plans to survey all area businesses once it narrows its route options. Knaack, who operates a State Farm Insurance agency on Glendale Avenue downtown, argued they should survey the businesses first.

"I would sure hate to have something happen to my building," she said.

A combination of federal funding and transit-tax revenue from Maricopa County, Phoenix and Glendale will cover the estimated $550 million construction cost of project, but the cities must pay operations costs once the system is running.

Construction would begin in 2023 and finish by 2026, linking downtown Glendale to Phoenix at 19th Avenue either by a rapid bus, streetcar or light rail. Valley Metro will host more public meetings and analyze the best modes and routes before bringing a recommendation to the council.

Limmer said the route that would travel Camelback Road to 43rd Avenue to Glendale Avenue provides the most employment, population and activity but it is the longest option. Grand Avenue is automobile-oriented and is somewhat incompatible for high-capacity transit because it does not host the ideal volume of multi-family residential areas, open spaces for potential new development and hotels, he said.

Valley Metro will host two upcoming, identical informational meetings for the public.

The first, at Glendale Council Chambers, will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 22. The second, at Grand Canyon University's CAS Building No. 6, Rooms 139 and 140, will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28.

Possible routes

• West along Camelback Road, then northwest along Grand Avenue.

• West along Camelback Road, then north along 43rd Avenue, then west along Glendale Avenue.

• West along Bethany Home Road, then northwest along Grand Avenue.

• West along Bethany Home Road, then north along 43rd Avenue, then west along Glendale Avenue.

• Straight west along Glendale Avenue.

The light rail travels through Tempe in November 2013. (Photo: David Kadlubowski/The Republic)

The Republic will regularly ask West Valley elected officials to share their thoughts on issues. This week's question: How would you like to enhance public transportation in your community?

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A bit of history

Public transportation infrastructure is coming

Valley Metro plans to roll out a light-rail connection to the West Valley over the next 12 years. Five miles of light rail, streetcar track or rapid-bus infrastructure will extend into Glendale by 2026.

"Glendale has a good local system, what is needed for light rail to come through downtown. Part of the current Proposition 400 funding gives us light rail from Phoenix to around 59th Avenue. An alternative analysis study is taking place to best decide where it will cut through the area. The goal is to continue down Glendale Avenue with light rail out to the sports and entertainment district. Glendale has had several initiatives to redevelop the three-mile stretch of Glendale Avenue from 43rd Avenue to 67th Avenue over the past couple of decades. Light rail will inspire development to the tune of about $5 for every $1 invested in the light-rail project."

City of Avondale

Avondale

Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers

"Avondale's 2030 General Plan promotes enhanced multimodal public-transportation options. Avondale has been a public-transportation champion in the Southwest Valley. In just three years, our Zoom neighborhood circulator has increased ridership by more than 50 percent, and now serves Tolleson and the YMCA in Goodyear. Avondale is also a leader when working with regional partners to seek opportunities for expanded local transit services, such as the express service that will start in October. In planning for the future, Avondale is identifying bus transit, light- and commuter-rail routes, and developing conceptual station plans."

Buckeye

Mayor Jackie A. Meck

"Buckeye understands the need for public transportation as we are stretched across 600 square miles. My idea to enhance public transportation would be to have more internal bus routes and increase the number of buses and bus routes into Phoenix from the Park and Ride located at Jackrabbit Trail and Interstate 10. If we could add a commuter or light rail extending to Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant, we would offer alternatives to their many employees who live in Buckeye and also help decrease traffic on I-10. The route could include Goodyear and could run alongside the future State Route 80."

Peoria

Vice Mayor Ron Aames

"We need the right mix of public transportation across the Valley. One type doesn't fit all. While light rail works for the core of the metropolitan area, it generally doesn't for cities outside it. Commuter rail along the existing tracks on Grand Avenue best serves the longer-distance mobility needs of those of us living in the Northwest Valley. Light rail is slow. Commuter rail is fast. A detailed study has been conducted that proves the demand for commuter-rail service in the Northwest Valley. Also, commuter rail costs about one-third of what light rail does to build."

Goodyear

Vice Mayor Joe Pizzillo

"We need to expand our public transportation. It's part of being a growing community. Serving on the board of Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority helps keep Goodyear at the table and in the discussions surrounding expanding services. Funding is always a challenge so we need to walk before we run. The City Council has looked at different options for the city, including providing transportation for the disabled."